What does milkweed do for the body?
Milkweeds contain cardiac glycosides, naturally occurring drugs that increase the force of heart contraction and have been used to treat heart conditions. Milkweed species as a group are known to contain cardiac glycosides that are poisonous to humans and livestock, as well as other substances that may account for their medicinal effect. Resinoids, glycosides, and a small amount of alkaloids are present in all parts of the plant.Leaves or other above-ground parts of the plant are poisonous. They contain several glucosidic substances called cardenolides that are toxic. Milkweed may cause losses at any time, but it is most dangerous during the active growing season. Several species of milkweed are poisonous to range animals.The toxic nature of milkweed is due to one of two agents: cardiac glycosides (cardenolides) or an unidentified neurotoxin. The cardiac glycosides are found in the majority of milkweed species, while the neurotoxin is specific to the whorled-leaf types such as horsetail milkweed.She traces that history to the region’s agriculture. Milkweed can sicken livestock when they eat enough of it. Animals tend to steer clear of the toxic plants, but accidental poisonings do happen, particularly if milkweed infiltrates a hayfield and gets cut, dried and served up to livestock mixed into their hay.Yes, all milkweed species contain chemicals called cardenolides, or cardiac glycosides, which make them toxic. However, species differ in their level of toxicity.
Can humans consume milkweed?
Eating milkweed, even when it is cooked or boiled, is not recommended and is potentially very dangerous. Natural Remedies with Milkweed Native Americans taught early European settlers how to cook milkweed so that it could be safely eaten properly. See note below. The milky white sap was applied topically to remove warts, and the roots were chewed to cure dysentery.Milkweed Medicine The Miwok people used the latex to remove warts. The Cheyenne made a decoction of the dried plant tops and used it as an eyewash to heal snow blindness. Cherokee, Delaware, and Mohegan peoples used pleurisy root, also called butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), made into a cough remedy.Medicinal Uses In 1892, Charles Millspaugh recorded the early medical history of butterfly milkweed, also known as pleurisy root. He stated that it is a proven remedy for certain forms of dry coryza, indigestion, colic, diarrhea, dry coughs, pleurisy, rheumatic pains, and some skin affections (1974, p.The toxic milky white sap, which gives milkweed its name, was applied to remove warts. Native Americans also learned how to prepare parts of the milkweed plant for food, a knowledge they shared with settlers (young milkweed shoots and pods, lightly sautéed, are a forager’s delight).
What are the side effects of eating milkweed?
There are actually two different toxins which can be present in milkweed. One is a neurotoxin and the other is a cardiac glycoside. They produce symptoms of colic, depression, lethargy, irregular heartbeat, dilated pupils, weakness, incoordination, convulsions, and death. Milkweed plants produce Carnenolides, which are cardiac glycosides akin to Digitalis capable of binding to Sodium/Potassium ATPases (Na+/K+-ATPases). As a result, direct ocular exposure can inhibit corneal pump function with resultant corneal edema and ocular irritation.
Is milkweed a painkiller?
While milkweed can be used as a topical pain reliever it is very important to note that it is for topical use ONLY as it is indeed mildly toxic. Beyond consumption of milkweed, the plants’ milky sap is a skin and eye irritant. It is important to avoid any contact of the sap with the skin, eyes, and mouth.Although potentially poisonous, the plant has been used for medicinal purposes as well. Many indigenous tribes applied milkweed sap for wart removal and chewed its roots to treat dysentery. It was also used in salves and infusions to treat swelling, rashes, coughs, fevers and asthma.Milkweed sap can cause mild skin irritation or an allergic reaction, but it is not highly toxic through skin contact. Brief Explanation: The milky latex sap contains toxic compounds that can irritate sensitive skin or eyes. It’s advisable to wear gloves when handling the plant.